Harold Daub, Executive Director Message: December 11, 2018 meeting with Senator Laughlin & others
I hope that everyone found time to get afield, make memories and just enjoy the outdoors and our sport in the past weeks and months. In working towards keeping with my word to provide updates on Hunters United for Sunday Hunting progress, I would like to provide a current status report.
On December 11, 2018, Senator Dan Laughlin organized a meeting to start discussions on what updates should be considered for SB 1202 as it is reintroduced in the upcoming 2019/2020 legislative session. As you are aware, Senator Laughlin has brought a common sense approach to de-conflicting PA Title 34 Game Law, specifically relating to the hunting on Sunday prohibition and trespass laws of Pennsylvania.
At the meeting was; Pa. Senator Dan Laughlin senate district 49 Erie County, Pa. Senator James Brewster 45th district Allegheny County, Regina Smith district office director for Senator Laughlin, Darrin Youker government affairs representative Pa. Farm Bureau, Nicholas Mobilia Erie County chapter Pa. Farm Bureau, Brittany Eisenman board member for districts 13 and 14 Pa. Farm Bureau, Joshua Zimmerman legislative affairs Pa. Game Commission, and myself [Harold Daub] executive director Hunters United for Sunday Hunting.
The goal of the meeting was to start preliminary talks and hear from the Pa. Farm Bureau regarding the outcome from their annual November 2018 meeting, specifically on the vote cast for Sunday hunting where the final voting member ballot results showed that 75% of Pa. Farm Bureau members favor/support a change to the PFB policy regarding the existing Sunday hunting prohibition.
As mentioned, this was a good faith meeting in order to get the revised SB 1202 started correctly and be able to proceed through the legislative process as quickly and easily as possible. Unfortunately, the PFB leadership oligarchs were true to form and only indicated that while the PFB policy development process did produce a position/policy statement; that process does not allow for any negotiations. I was told by Darrin Youker, “we are unable to negotiate beyond that annual policy guideline.”
Here is what Darrin is really saying; the Pa. Farm Bureau process does not allow them [PFB state legislative leadership] to actively participate in the legislative negotiation process for updating and passing of laws. They are not able to work towards a solution, only issue ultimatums as a result of the annual meeting.
What does this mean? Bottom line, unless Pa. Farm Bureau demands are met in entirety, the PFB [leadership] will continue to be unwavering and unable to act on any legislation objective unless they get their way unequivocally without question, responsibility, recourse or consequence.
The PFB ultimatum included the demand that antlerless deer and woodchuck be the only eligible species considered for Sunday expansion and only three Sundays be permitted. The first Sunday of archery season, first Sunday of flintlock season, and an antlerless season on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving. The three days prior to the start of our current statewide rifle season.
I made it clear in the meeting that these demands are not supported by our organization. It is not solid wildlife management. This is not a one-sided conversation where the PFB gets to call all of the shots, particularly on a subject of which they have no experience or expertise. We expect legislators to do the right thing and correct the law. Adding and dictating specific days, species and season by legislation does not fix the issue, it only complicates it. In speaking with Joshua Zimmerman, PGC after the meeting he agreed, dictating game management by law is not the right approach.
Representative Keith Gillespie said it best; “What may have been suitable 10 or 15 years ago sometimes needs brought up to speed, and I think that’s what we have going on here. I think a big part of that would be to put it in the hands of a professional agency like the game commission.”
As I left the meeting. I couldn’t help but feel disheartened for any rank and file member of the Pa. Farm Bureau. It is no wonder we continue to get letters and emails from farmers like Harold Stoneberger who writes; “So as a farmer I would like to weigh in on this topic of Sunday hunting. All you hear is that farmers don’t want hunting on Sundays. Nothing is further from the truth. I own lots of farm ground and farm it, as well as some rented ground also. I want hunting on Sundays as much as you do. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has never contacted me or any of my friends that farm. We have control of thousands of acres. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau does not represent Pa. farmers.”
At meetings end, Senator Laughlin reaffirmed his support for a comprehensive bill that will benefit all stakeholders. He strongly believes Senate Bill 1202 is a win-win for all involved, as do I. It provides the PFB with tougher trespass sanctions, something that they have been asking for in their decade's long opposition on the subject. It de-conflicts Pa. Title 34, transferring full regulatory authority, giving the Pa. Game Commission the ability to manage hunting on Sundays through their process of game management.
Though I had hopes for a better meeting outcome, I am not discouraged at all. If anything, I have become more focused and energized for what lies ahead in 2019. I have no doubt that Senator Laughlin wants to do the right thing. As an organization, we need to continue to have faith and be an active participant working towards a good solution. We can not fall victim and become paralyzed in our grassroots effort. My ask of all Hunters United for Sunday Hunting members is to stay the course with me, continue doing what you are doing, recruit and educate others, it is working, our organization is growing, politicians are listening, we are making a difference. As I am told often “keep moving that needle.”
Meetings of this nature are no setback. We can not control the actions of others. If Pa. Farm Bureau wants to continue to act like bullies on a playground, then so be it. It does not change our mission in the least. In the words of novelist James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Together, we will face the issues and organizations which stand in the way of progress, and we will drive the change to ensure future generations enjoy Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage.
Be prepared to make a commitment to be reaching out to all of our legislators as the next legislative session begins in 2019.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Harold Daub, Executive Director
